Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

It's 6:00 am on a Saturday and the alarm clock is ringing. It's 38 degrees outside.  Why am I awake?  Game Day!  First Little League game--a true milestone in our house.  Alex has been wanting to play "on a real field" since he was three.  So, despite the early hour and the less-than-optimal weather, we headed out to the ballpark. 

As I watched him take the field, I felt the fingertips of time tapping my shoulder reminding me of its ever-present passing.  My little boy is growing up.

My Blazin' Blueberry

While Alex chose baseball, Noah opted for soccer this spring.  I am proud of him for pursuing something he enjoys instead of just doing what Alex is doing.  Soccer, at this age, is better for Noah since it is constant action.  He fits right in with this goofy group of kiddos!!!  His first game is this weekend--we can hardly wait!!



 Listening to Coach!

 Big kick!

 Hangin' with the dudes of the Blazin Blueberries:

Lining up the shot?  Nah...just trying to figure out if he can balance the ball on his nose.

Baseball 2012

It's baseball time here in The Middle once again!  Oh how we wish we could play all year round!!  However, it is such a great feeling to pull out those gloves, balls and bats and know that spring is here, and longer days of playing outdoors are right around the corner.  Alex will be in Little League for the first time this year--he is vibrating with excitement.  So far, his coaches seem wonderful, and Alex is loving learning new aspects of the game.

Despite the rain, the Opening Day parade for Little League was held this past weekend.  Alex's team is the Rockies, and here they are proudly marching together on the field!

Hats off for The National Anthem

 Little man did not have a game that day (which is FINE since it started POURING rain shortly after these picutres were taken), but he humored his Mom and let me take some pics of him on the field.

Alex and Noah got a pitching machine and a net from their Godparents for Easter--you can be sure they will getting lots of use this summer!!!  PLAY BALL!!!

Easter 2012

Despite the fact that the weather was cold (ok...so it was less than 80 degrees), we had a great Easter.  The boys enjoyed doing an egg hunt at Alex's school, which was suprisingly well organized!  

 The hunt at home: Where did these two little MEN come from??!!!

 The "Easter Bunny" must have been on crack this year, because he brough Alex a set of football pads.  Oh well, I guess he knew that Alex is going to play football in the fall, and his Mama wants as much padding around him as possible. 

Wordless Wednesday: Fun with Oma and Opa

Spring Has Sprung!

We had a great little spring break get-a-way to see Aunt K and her crew in southern Indiana.  With the arrival of the early spring this year, a hike in Brown County was a MUST.  The boys and C had a BLAST!! We planned a hike around Ogle Lake, but the trail was optional.  There was much "off roading." 

 The beavers seem to be particularly industrious around this lake, as we found several chewed trees.  Here are the kids checking out the "beaver chips" on the ground.

 Aunt K getting in touch with her Children's Museum past--she actually caught a leopard frog and let the kids pet it.  A true highlight of this nature walk!!!

 Noah....well...let's just say he got closer to nature than anyone else. Notice the soaking wet, mud-covered jeans--my little explorer lets nothing get in his way--including a lake.  We had to stop several times to empty the water out of his boots.

 Alex took the following pictures of sunbathing turtles. 

 Here is Nature Boy sneaking up on a GIANT bullfrog right at the water's edge,

After a nice long hike and playground time, we decided to climb the fire tower in the park...it's much taller than I remember it, but we made it to the top!!!

After a nice bath and and a yummy dinner, the gang settled down for a little movie time. 

We had a great time on our mini-vacation and hope to explore more of the trails that wind through our State Parks...next time, however,  I am going to bring a portable shower for Noah.